{{short description|Highway in Tennessee}} {{Use American English|date=May 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox road |state=TN |type=TN |route=153 |maint=[[Tennessee Department of Transportation|TDOT]] and [[Tennessee Valley Authority|TVA]] |length_mi=12.87 |length_ref=<ref name="USDOT"/> |map={{maplink-road|from=Tennessee State Route 153.map}} |map_custom=yes |map_notes=SR 153 highlighted in red |direction_a=South |terminus_a={{jct|state=TN|I|75}} in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]] |junction={{plainlist|1= *{{jct|state=TN|US|11|US|64}} in Chattanooga *{{jct|state=TN|TN|58|Sec|17}} in Chattanooga *{{jct|state=TN|Sec|319}} in Chattanooga}} |direction_b=North |terminus_b={{jct|state=TN|US|27}} in Chattanooga |counties=[[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton]] |previous_type=Sec |previous_route=152 |next_type=Sec |next_route=154 }}
'''State Route 153''' ('''SR 153''') is a north–south primary [[list of state routes in Tennessee|state highway]] in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]]. It runs {{convert|12.87|mi}} from [[Interstate 75 in Tennessee|Interstate 75]] (I-75) a few miles east of the [[Interstate 24 in Tennessee|I-24]] interchange, to [[U.S. Route 27 in Tennessee|U.S. Route 27]] just south of [[Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee|Soddy-Daisy]]. The route serves as a bypass around downtown Chattanooga for I-75 travelers heading towards US 27 north. It is also an important route for drivers from Soddy-Daisy, [[Hixson, Tennessee|Hixson]], and other parts of northwestern [[Hamilton County, Tennessee|Hamilton County]] who are heading for I-75 and the eastern half of the county. The entire route is a four-to-six lane [[divided highway]], and the southern half is [[controlled-access highway|controlled access]]. SR 153 is also an important link to the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]]'s [[Chickamauga Dam]] on the [[Tennessee River]], which the highway crosses on the [[Wilkes T. Thrasher Bridge]]. It also serves as the primary access to the [[Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport]].
==Route description== [[File:Chickamauga Dam.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Wilkes T. Thrasher Bridge]] atop the [[Chickamauga Dam]]]] The entire length of SR 153 is part of the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]], a national network of highways identified as important to the nation's economy, mobility, and defense.<ref name="NHS Chattanooga">{{cite map |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/nhs_maps/tennessee/chattanooga_tn.pdf |title=National Highway System: Chattanooga, TN--GA |publisher=Federal Highway Administration |date=May 10, 2019 |access-date=August 15, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1 = Stefan |last1 = Natzke |first2 = Mike |last2 = Neathery |first3 = Kevin |last3 = Adderly |url = https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/ |title = What is the National Highway System? |work = National Highway System |access-date = December 12, 2010 |date = August 26, 2010 |publisher = [[Federal Highway Administration]] |name-list-style = amp |archive-date = September 24, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120924215257/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/ |url-status = live }}</ref>
SR 153 begins in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee|Chattanooga]] as a six-lane [[freeway]] at a [[directional-T interchange|directional-T]] [[stack interchange]] with I-75 in Chattanooga, just north of its interchange with [[Interstate 24 in Tennessee|I-24]]. Here, ramps provide direct access to [[Tennessee State Route 320|SR 320]] (East Brained Road) and [[Hamilton Place (shopping mall)|Hamilton Place Boulevard]] from SR 153 southbound. The highway then goes west to have a diamond interchange with [[U.S. Route 11 in Tennessee|US 11]]/[[U.S. Route 64 in Tennessee|US 64]] (Lee Highway) before turning northwest into a long straightaway. It then has a diamond interchange with Shepard Road and then another with Shallowford Road a short distance later, both of which provide access to [[Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport]]. SR 153 continues northwest to a diamond interchange with Jersey Pike, then curves slightly northwest at a partial cloverleaf interchange with [[Tennessee State Route 317|SR 317]] (Bonny Oaks Drive) about {{convert|1/2|mi}} later. It then has another partial cloverleaf with the northern terminus of [[Tennessee State Route 17|SR 17]] and [[Tennessee State Route 58|SR 58]]. It then has a partial cloverleaf with the southern terminus of [[Tennessee State Route 319|SR 319]] (Amnicola Highway), where it narrows to four lanes. SR 153 then veers north and crosses the [[Tennessee River]] on the [[Wilkes T. Thrasher Bridge]] atop the [[Chickamauga Dam]].<ref name="DeLorme">{{cite map |publisher = DeLorme |title = Tennessee Atlas & Gazetteer |edition = 2017 |year = 2017 |author = DeLorme |location = Yarmouth, Maine |scale = 1 in:2.5 mi |isbn = 978-1946494047 }}</ref>
[[File:TN SR 153 southbound MM 3.jpg|thumb|left|SR 153 southbound between Jersey Pike and Shallowford Road]] Upon crossing the river, the highway immediately has an interchange with an access road to the river and dam, and curves northwest, where the freeway ends. Widening back to a six lanes, the highway enters [[Hixson, Tennessee|Hixson]] and has intersections with SR 319 (Dupont Parkway) again, this time becoming [[concurrency (road)|concurrent]] with this route. The two routes pass through a commercial area anchored by [[Northgate Mall (Chattanooga)|Northgate Mall]] to the east, providing access via multiple surface streets. SR 319 (Hixson Pike) then separates once again at a cloverleaf interchange, and SR 153 continues northwest through a central retail district. The highway then turns north into a straightaway and leaves Hixson. A few miles later the route reduces back to four lanes, and Dayton Pike, the original alignment of US 27, merges into SR 153 from the southwest in a partial-Y interchange. This road is only accessible from the southbound lanes. About {{convert|1/2|mi|km}} later, SR 153 ends at a partial cloverleaf interchange with [[U.S. Route 27 in Tennessee|US 27]], with the road continuing to the north as Dayton Pike into [[Soddy Daisy, Tennessee|Soddy Daisy]].<ref name="DeLorme"/>
==History== ===Background and construction=== The first section of what is now SR 153 was the northernmost {{convert|1/2|mi|km}} section that is part of what was originally the main road between Chattanooga and [[Dayton, Tennessee|Dayton]]. In 1914, this road became part of the [[Dixie Highway]], an [[auto trail]] connecting the Southern United States with the Midwest. This road was designated as SR 29 with the establishment of the [[Tennessee State Route System|state highway system]] in 1923,<ref name=1925report>{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = Highway Planning Survey Division |year = 1925 |title = Biennial Report of the Commissioner of the Department of Highways and Public Works State of Tennessee for the Years 1923 and 1924 |url = https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/documents/100years/Biennial_Report%2c_Department_of_Highways_1923%2c_1924.pdf |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways and Public Works |access-date = May 19, 2023 |pages = 39-44 |oclc = }}</ref> and US 27 in 1927, one year after the [[United States Numbered Highway System|U.S. Numbered Highway System]] was approved.
The Chickamauga Dam was constructed by the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] (TVA) from 1936 to 1940 to provide electricity, flood control, and improved navigation to the region. Workers constructed {{convert|1.77|mi|km|adj=on}} North Access Road to Hixson Pike on the north shore, and {{convert|2.33|mi|km|adj=on}} South Access Road on the south side to SR 58; part of this road later became a [[frontage road]] along SR 153.<ref name="Jolley">{{cite news |last1=Jolley |first1=Harmon |title=Historic Highways - North and South Access Roads |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2005/9/20/72902/Historic-Highways---North-and-South.aspx |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=The Chattanoogan |date=September 20, 2005}}</ref> While the dam did not initially contain a bridge, it was designed to allow for one to be constructed. TVA would initially agree to construct a bridge only if it were tied into a more extensive system of highways. While the dam was under construction, the Tennessee Department of Highways (predecessor agency to TDOT) began studying the possibility of constructing a bridge across the dam to connect US 11 and US 27.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dam Design To Allow Bridge Construction |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-dam-design-to-al/135368205/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=The Chattanooga Times |date=May 29, 1937 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On January 18, 1940, Tennessee Congressman (and later Senator) [[Estes Kefauver]] proposed an amendment to a TVA appropriations bill that would have provided funding for a bridge across the dam, but the whole house rejected this.<ref>{{cite news |title=TVA Funds Bill Survives Attacks, Passes House; Road Over Dam Vetoed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-tva-funds-bill-s/135368756/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |agency=Associated Press |date=January 19, 1940 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-bill-for-tva-fun/135368877/ 2] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> From 1947 to 1949, Hamilton County Judge Wilkes T. Thrasher made several trips to Washington, D.C. requesting federal funding and approval of the bridge. On July 31, 1947, Kefauver announced that the Public Roads Administration (predecessor to the [[Federal Highway Administration]]) had approved the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bridge Spanning Dam Given Approval In Washington; State Action Needed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-bridge-spanning/135369496/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=August 1, 1947 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-bridge-over-dam/135369581/ 2] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The federal government agreed to provide funding when Thrasher downgraded his request from four to two lanes on the bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=3 In Your Town: Wilkes T. Thrasher |url=https://www.local3news.com/local-news/3-in-your-town-wilkes-t-thrasher/article_45bd3bfc-b98b-11ec-bae3-ff488eaf2e0f.html |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=[[WRCB]] |date=April 11, 2022 |location=Chattanooga}}</ref> Construction on the bridge approaches began on November 21, 1949,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ramp Work Begins For Bridge At Dam |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-ramp-work-begins/135369234/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=November 22, 1949 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and work on the concrete bridge piers began one year later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Piers For Bridge On Dam Started |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-piers-for-bridge/135372501/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=December 17, 1950 |page=58 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Completion of the bridge was initially slated for late 1951, but was repeatedly delayed by steel shortages. As a result, construction on the steel piers and beams did not begin until August 1953.<ref>{{cite news |title=More Steel Is Due For Bridge On Dam |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-more-steel-is-du/135373137/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=August 10, 1953 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Construction Work Started On Bridge Over Chickamauga Dam (Photo) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-construction-wor/135372915/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=August 16, 1953 |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Steel erection was completed on March 31, 1954, and the bridge was dedicated and opened to traffic on October 15, 1954, in a ceremony officially naming it for Thrasher.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Fred |title=Span At Dam Opens Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-span-at-dam-open/135373319/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=October 15, 1954 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-span-at-dam-open/135373387/ 13] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Fred |title=Ribbon Is Cut Opening Span For Vehicles |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-ribbon-is-cut-op/135373615/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=October 16, 1954 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-ribbon-is-cut-op/135373693/ 11] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The bridge was constructed with two traffic lanes and sidewalks, but was designed to be expanded to four lanes. It was officially christened the "Wilkes T. Thrasher Bridge" in a ceremony on July 1, 1955.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tribute Paid To Thrasher |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-tribute-paid-to/135373902/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=July 2, 1955 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-judge-is-lauded/135373940/ 3] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
While the bridge across the dam was under construction, the local and state governments began planning for a four-lane highway that would connect [[U.S. Route 41 in Tennessee|US 41]] in [[East Ridge, Tennessee|East Ridge]] near the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] state line to US 27 in Red Bank, and serve as a bypass around downtown Chattanooga, relieving congestion on bridges across the Tennessee River there.<ref name="Young61">{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Harry |title=Bids To Be Asked To Extend Rt. 153 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-bids-to-be-asked/187906797/ |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=October 20, 1961 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In addition, this route was planned to serve the rapidly developing industrial areas along the Tennessee River, as well as the [[Enterprise South Industrial Park|Volunteer Ordnance Works]] ammunition plant, the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (then Lovell Field), and the suburban neighborhoods along the route which had recently begun to develop. The route was also expected to relieve traffic on SR 317 (then SR 2A), which was expected to become congested once the bridge across the dam was completed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trewhitt |first1=Henry |title=Highway Bypass May Bring Battle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-highway-by-pass/135371979/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=January 27, 1952 |pages=14, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-highway-by-pass/135372010/ 20] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Trewhitt |first1=Henry |title=Road Link To Dayton Pike, Bonny Oaks Drive Assured |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-road-link-to-day/135374698/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=June 18, 1953 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-access-road-set/135374721/ 10] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On August 1, 1953, the Hamilton County government announced that they had chosen the route for the stretch between SR 317 and US 27 out of two proposed alignments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Route Picked Out For Dam Highway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-route-picked-out/135372840/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=August 2, 1953 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> This highway was officially incorporated into the state highway system as SR 153 in 1954.
Construction of the section between the Chickamauga Dam and US 27 began on May 2, 1955,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Schneider |first1=Fred |title=Progress Noted On Dam Highway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-progress-noted-o/135375753/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=August 1, 1955 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and was completed on December 27, 1957.<ref name=1958report>{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = |year = 1958 |title = Report of the State Highway Commissioner of Tennessee for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1958 |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015021039360&seq=502 |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways |access-date = November 12, 2023 |page = 80 |oclc = |via=[[HathiTrust|HathiTrust Digital Library]] }}</ref> The {{convert|1.2|mi|km|adj=on}} section between SR 317 and south of the dam was let on November 16, 1956.<ref name=1958report/> The portion between the SR 58 interchange and the dam, which contained at-grade intersections, opened in late November 1957,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Harry |title=Safety Markers Put On New Road |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-safety-markers-p/187904191/ |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=December 6, 1957 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the rest of the segment extending to SR 317 was completed by August 1958.<ref>{{cite news |title=Easement Width For New Road Set |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-easement-width-f/187906053/ |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=August 21, 1958 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The sections north of the river, with the exception of the portion through the Hixson Pike interchange and the approach to US 27, were constructed with two lanes and designed to be expanded to four. Due to higher-than-anticipated traffic volumes, a decision was made in September 1958 for the remainder of SR 153 to be controlled access.<ref>{{cite news |title=Route 153 Is Set For Expressway |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-route-153-is-set/135367383/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=September 21, 1958 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On August 25, 1961, a contract was awarded to convert the at-grade intersection with US 27 (Dayton Boulevard) to an interchange.<ref name=1962report>{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = |year = 1962 |title = Report of the State Highway Commissioner of Tennessee for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1962 |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3031574&seq=95 |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways |access-date = November 12, 2023 |page = 87 |oclc = |via=[[HathiTrust|HathiTrust Digital Library]] }}</ref> The authorization of the [[Interstate Highway System]] in June 1956 resulted in the need to reevaluate the plans for SR 153 to extend to US 41,<ref name="Young57">{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Harry |title=State Plans To Add 2 Lanes To Bridge On Dam By '61 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-route-153-is-set/135367383/ |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=March 15, 1957 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-bridge-on-dam-to/135376445/ 11 ] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and by January 1959, plans were changed for the route to terminate at I-75 instead.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Harry |title=Plan Is Revised For Access Road |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-plan-is-revised/58501729/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=January 16, 1959 |pages=3, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-plan-is-revised/135377748/ 11] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The contract for the section between I-75 and SR 317 was scheduled to be bid in December 1961,<ref name="Young61"/> but was delayed one month before then after a disagreement arose over the clearance of a railroad bridge.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Asks Bids On 20th Street |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-state-asks-bids/187906774/ |access-date=January 1, 2026 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=November 18, 1961 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The contract was finally awarded on August 31, 1962,<ref>{{cite news |title=Bids Are Opened On Road Project |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chattanooga-daily-times-bids-are-opened/135377953/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=Chattanooga Daily Times |date=September 1, 1962 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=1964report>{{cite book |type = Report |author1 = |year = 1964 |title = Report of the State Highway Commissioner of Tennessee for the Biennium Ending June 30, 1964 |url = https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3031574&seq=297 |location = Nashville |publisher = Tennessee Department of Highways |access-date = November 12, 2023 |pages = 71 |oclc = |via=[[HathiTrust|HathiTrust Digital Library]] }}</ref> and construction was completed in late 1964.
===Later history=== [[File:Int75sRoadTN-Exit3-TN320-TQmile (32561688820).jpg|thumb|left|Sign for SR 153 on I-75 southbound]] The intersection with Amnicola Highway was converted into a cloverleaf interchange in 1964-65. In March 1957, it was reported that a project to widen the Thrasher Bridge to four lanes had been included in the state's 5-year highway program and would take place in 1961.<ref name="Young57"/> However, the project, which required a complete closure of the bridge to all traffic, was repeatedly delayed. During this time, this section developed into a severe congestion bottleneck, and locals came to refer to the Thrasher Bridge as the "Damn Bridge".<ref name="NFP842">{{cite news |last1=Finn |first1=Michael |title=Bridge Reopening Joy To Many |work=Chattanooga News-Free Press |date=September 24, 1984 |pages=1, 2}}</ref> On May 22, 1981, the C.B. Robinson Bridge across the Tennessee River on SR 319 (DuPont Parkway), located approximately {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} downstream, opened to traffic, providing a detour route for the Thrasher Bridge.<ref name="NFP842"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gilliland |first1=Lew |title=Chattanooga Knows: What 1980s project was labeled ‘A Bridge to Tomorrow?’ |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/apr/27/chattanooga-knows-what-1980s-project-was-labeled/ |access-date=December 29, 2025 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=April 27, 2025}}</ref> The widening project was administered by TVA, with funding from TDOT and the FHWA, and began with a closure of the bridge in December 1982. In August 1983, TDOT awarded a contract to widen the {{convert|1.1|mi|km|adj=on}} norther approach to the dam.<ref>{{cite news |title=Notice to Contractors of State Highway Construction Bids to Be Received August 12, 1983 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-memphis-press-scimitar-notice-to-con/187685461/ |access-date=December 29, 2025 |work=Memphis Press-Scimitar |date=July 22, 1983 |page=C4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On September 24, 1984, the bridge reopened in a dedication ceremony attended by several federal, state, and local leaders.<ref name="NFP841">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=George W. |title=Thrasher Bridge At Dam Opens; Hundreds Attend Ceremony To Mark 4-Lane Widening |work=Chattanooga News-Free Press |date=September 24, 1984 |pages=1, D1}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=1985 |title=Tennessee Valley Authority 1984 Annual Report |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Annual_Report_of_the_Tennessee_Valley_Au.html?id=jUrbAAAAMAAJ |page=19 |work= |location=Knoxville |publisher=Tennessee Valley Authority |docket= |access-date=December 29, 2025 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
When the four-lane controlled-access alignment of US 27 that replaced the old Dayton Pike was constructed in the mid-to-late 1970s, the SR 153 designation was extended approximately {{convert|1/2|mi|km}} north along this route to the new freeway. The stretch between north of Hixson Pike and south of Dayton Boulevard was widened to four lanes in the early 1990s. In the mid-1990s, the sections between DuPont Parkway and Hixson Pike, and from Hixson Pike to north of Gadd, were widened to six lanes. The six-lane section was extended north to near Grubb Road in the mid-2000s.
In September 1998, construction began on a project to reconfigure the interchange between I-75 and SR 153.<ref>{{cite news |title=Work To Begin On I-75 Job Within 2 Weeks |url=https://timesfreepress.newsbank.com/doc/news/13ED444A0511ED88?search_terms=Highway%2B153%2Binterchange&text=Highway%20153%20interchange&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=CHAT&page=2&pdate=1998-09-10 |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=September 10, 1998 |url-access=limited}}</ref> This project included widening I-75, reconfiguring the I-75 mainline to remove left-hand connections from I-75 northbound to the SR 153 ramps, construction of new flyover bridges for the ramps between the two routes, and providing direct access to the SR 320 and Hamilton Place Boulevard interchanges on I-75 via the ramps to I-75.<ref>{{cite press release |date=July 24, 1998 |title=I-75 Project Let To Contract |url=http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/information-office/press98.htm |location=Nashville |publisher=Tennessee Department of Transportation |access-date=December 29, 2025 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824052824/http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/information-office/press98.htm#007 |archivedate=August 24, 2000}}</ref> The project was completed in 2001, after multiple delays.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Irby |title=Transportation Department Speaker Outlines Road Widening Projects |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2001/4/17/8220/Transportation-Department-Speaker.aspx |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=The Chattanoogan |date=April 17, 2001}}</ref> In August 2000, construction began on a project to widen the {{convert|5.5|mi|km|adj=on}} section of SR 153 between I-75 and SR 319.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gridlock spreading to Highway 153 |url=https://timesfreepress.newsbank.com/doc/news/13ED4F18F85802E0?search_terms=Highway%2B153%2Bwidening&text=Highway%20153%20widening&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=CHAT&pdate=2000-11-15 |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=November 15, 2000 |url-access=limited}}</ref> Initially slated to take two years, the project experienced multiple delays, leading TDOT to penalize the contractor in September 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title=TDOT penalizes highway contractor |url=https://timesfreepress.newsbank.com/doc/news/13DF730BD4769620?search_terms=Highway%2B153%2Bwidening&text=Highway%20153%20widening&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=CHAT&pdate=2003-10-18 |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=October 18, 2003 |url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Nicely Says "No Excuse" For Highway 153 Delays |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2004/2/3/46311/Nicely-Says-No-Excuse-For-Highway.aspx |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=The Chattanoogan |date=February 3, 2004}}</ref> The project was finally completed in August 2004.<ref>{{cite news |title=Highway 153 work drags on |url=https://timesfreepress.newsbank.com/doc/news/13DF2A08D8EA0958?search_terms=Highway%2B153%2Bwidening&text=Highway%20153%20widening&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=CHAT&pdate=2004-07-24 |access-date=December 25, 2025 |work=Chattanooga Times Free Press |date=July 24, 2004 |url-access=limited}}</ref>
==Junction list== {{jcttop|exit|state=TN|county=Hamilton|location=Chattanooga|length_ref=<ref name="USDOT">{{cite map |map=National Highway Planning Network |map-url=https://data-usdot.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/usdot::national-highway-planning-network/explore?location=35.843003%2C-86.343051%2C7.30 |author=Bureau of Transportation Statistics |date = June 13, 2022 |title = National Transportation Atlas Database |publisher=United States Department of Transportation |access-date=April 29, 2023 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref>}} {{TNint|exit |mile=0.00 |mile2=0.46 |exit=0 |road={{jct|state=TN|I|75|name1=[[U.S. Route 74 in Tennessee|US 74]]|city1=Knoxville|city2=Chattanooga|location3=[[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]]}} |notes=I-75 exit 3; southern terminus; south end of freeway; direct access to [[Tennessee State Route 320|SR 320]] (East Brained Road) and [[Hamilton Place (shopping mall)|Hamilton Place Boulevard]] from SR 153 southbound}} {{TNint|exit |mile=0.98 |exit=1 |road={{jct|state=TN|US|11|US|64|name2=Lee Highway/[[Tennessee State Route 2|SR 2]]}} |notes=}} {{TNint|exit |mile=1.68 |exit=1A |road=Shepard Road {{jct|state=TN|extra=airport|location1=[[Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport]]}} |notes=}} {{TNint|exit |mile=2.50 |exit=2 |road=Shallowford Road |notes=}} {{TNint|exit |mile=3.27 |exit=3 |road=Jersey Pike |notes=Exit for the [[Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum]] on Cromwell Road}} {{TNint|exit |mile=3.96 |exit=4 |road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|317|name1=Bonny Oaks Drive}} |notes=}} {{TNint|exit |mile=4.64 |exit=5A |road={{jct|state=TN|TN|58|dir1=north|city1=Harrison|city2=Decatur}} |notes=Also exit to [[Booker T. Washington State Park (Tennessee)|Booker T. Washington]] and [[Harrison Bay State Park|Harrison Bay]] State Parks}} {{TNint|exit |mile=4.64 |exit=5B |road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|17|dir1=south}} |notes=}} {{TNint|exit |mile=5.57 |exit=6 |road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|319|dir1=north|location1=Downtown Chattanooga}} |notes=Last numbered interchange}} {{TNint|exit |mile=6.47 |mile2=7.11 |bridge=[[Wilkes T. Thrasher Bridge]] over the [[Tennessee River]]}} {{TNint|exit |mile=7.25 |exit=– |road=Access Road; Lake Resort Drive |notes=}} {{TNint|exit |mile=8.03 |mile2=8.12 |exit=– |type=concur |road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|319|dir1=south}} |notes=Southern end of SR 319 concurrency; north end of freeway}} {{TNint|exit |mile=8.94 |mspan=2 |exit=– |type=concur |road={{jct|state=TN|Sec|319|dir1=north|name1=Hixson Pike|city1=Hixson|city2=Middle Valley|city3=Lakesite}} |notes=Northern end of SR 319 concurrency; interchange}} {{TNint|exit |mile=none |exit=– |road=South Hixson Pike |notes=Interchange}} {{TNint|exit |mile=12.39 |exit=– |type=incomplete |road=Dayton Blvd – [[Red Bank, Tennessee|Red Bank]] |notes=Interchange; no access for northbound SR 153}} {{TNint|exit |mile=12.87 |exit=– |road={{jct|state=TN|US|27|name1=[[Tennessee State Route 29|SR 29]]|to2=TO|TN|111|city1=Chattanooga|city2=Dayton}} |notes=Northern terminus; roadway continues north as Dayton Pike to [[Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee|Soddy-Daisy]]}} {{jctbtm|exit|keys=incomplete,concur}}
==References== {{Attached KML|display=inline,title}} {{reflist}}
[[Category:Transportation in Hamilton County, Tennessee]] [[Category:Transportation in Chattanooga, Tennessee]] [[Category:State highways in Tennessee|153]] [[Category:Freeways in Tennessee]]